Dale Earnhardt Jr. is taking on a new role in his NASCAR career. He will serve as the crew chief for Conner Zilisch during the Xfinity Series race at Pocono this Saturday, stepping in due to a one-race suspension for Zilisch’s usual crew chief, Mardy Lindley, who was penalized for loose lug nuts on Zilisch’s car following the recent Nashville race.
Earnhardt Jr., who co-owns Zilisch’s JR Motorsports car and supports a team with four cars in NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series, will be guiding Zilisch, an 18-year-old driver. Zilisch’s teammate, Justin Allgaier, recently secured the 2024 Xfinity Series championship, marking his first career NASCAR title.
This season, Zilisch has already claimed one victory in 14 races. Known for his road course skills, he won the third race of the year after leading 26 laps on a challenging American circuit. Though he missed the 12th race due to back injuries from a serious crash at Talladega, he has bounced back strong with top-five finishes in his last three races, including Charlotte.
The Pocono race could feature diverse strategic approaches as the 2.5-mile track offers opportunities for drivers near the front to make gains without sacrificing lap time. In particular, a long green-flag run early in the race might lead many drivers to pit late in the stage to earn valuable points before cycling back to the front during stage breaks.
After his stint as Zilisch’s crew chief on Saturday, Earnhardt Jr. will return to broadcasting, joining the Amazon Prime booth on Sunday. As a NASCAR Hall of Famer and lead analyst for NASCAR coverage on Amazon and TNT this season, Earnhardt Jr. continues to remain a prominent figure in the sport. The 2024 Cup Series broadcast schedule concludes with two more races on Amazon, followed by five races on TNT and other events on NBC.
Fan Take: Dale Earnhardt Jr. stepping into the crew chief role is a thrilling reminder of his deep commitment to the sport beyond driving and broadcasting. His involvement could bring fresh energy and insights to Zilisch’s team, making this Pocono race a must-watch for fans eager to see how this legendary figure impacts the next generation of racers.
